In keeping with its commitment to empower people to lead a life of passion and play, Salomon is thrilled to announce the return of the highly-anticipated edition of the Salomon Xtrail Event in the Philippines. Dubbed as the Salomon Epic Trail Weekend, this year’s Salomon Xtrail Run introduces an all-new race pattern that will certainly test the limits of the most dedicated trail runners in the country. Enter the ULTRA50, the newest category at this year’s race which will require its participants to conquer five different mountains in Sierra Madre.
For the past seven years, Salomon Xtrail Run has offered two grueling race categories which continue to attract hardcore athletes and enthusiast alike who are not afraid to go beyond their limits. This year, in a tenacious bid, to elevate the game and uphold its slogan of being “#1 in Trail Running”, Salomon ups the ante of trail running once again as it offers three different races with varying degrees of intensity in one explosive weekend. The ULTRA50 now joins the roster of grueling race categories at this year’s Salomon Xtrail Run which also includes the Xtrail Run and the Xtrail Kids Race.
For this year’s installment, the races will be held at The Glades in Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal. Pegged as the perfect gateway to an epic outdoor adventure, this year’s race venue boasts of blazing trails to the Sierra Madre mountain range along with new trails that were specifically built for the race in the collaboration with the locals.
The Ultimate Test
A testament of Salomon’s dedication to elevate the trail running experience, the Ultra50 category is an incredible opportunity for seasoned trail runners to test their limits. An original course with 3,300-meter elevation gain and loss that has been designed by credible trail runners whose accolades include UTMB, UTMF, and Fat Dog 120 Miles, participants of this category are urged not to underestimate this new route.
Far from your ordinary trail loop around Wawa Dam, the new full loop of the Ultra 50 category starts from The Glades at Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal and will cover six areas which include Purro, Campananan, Malemod, Ayaas, Parawagan, and Maarat. Consisting of 80% single track, 20% gravel/dirt road, fire trails, and some river crossings, the route will cover paths, ridges, and trails that have never been used in any other race as well as old local trails that have been forgotten because of newer and wider trails.
Successfully completing this race within the cut-off will earn trail runners the prestigious honor of being one of the pioneers of what could be considered as one of the most challenging 50-kilometer races in the country. However, given the level of difficulty of the Ultra 50, interested participants of this category will be required to participate in a qualifying race or show proof of having completed a 21k Trail Run.
Only races held between January 1, 2018 and April 21, 2019 or prior to the closing date of the registration will be considered. The qualifying races considered include – but are not limited to – the Salomon Xtrail Races, Rizal Mountain Run, Clark to Miyamit Race Series, Cordillera Mountain Ultra, Be Trail Ready Races, KOTM Race Series, Mapawa Race Series, Tawid Mountain Marathon, and Akyathlon.
Paths for Play
Apart from the new Ultra 50 category, this year’s Xtrail Event returns with its signature categories but of course, bringing with it a whole new level of challenge. For the Xtrail Run categories, which include the 32km, 24km, and 17km divisions, participants can expect a trail that features a good mix of wide fire roads, single tracks, foot paths, and ruts. The trails, though runnable, will go up or down with little to no flat terrain.
Lots of flora and fauna are to be seen along the trails. With no shortage of views, runners of this category are in for a challenging yet breathtaking experience. An original course with 1900-meter elevation gain and loss, participants are likewise reminded not to underestimate the route as it consists of 80% single track, 20% gravel/dirt road, fire trails, and some river crossings. The areas that will be covered by this trail are Purro, Casile, Amianan, and Maarat.
As safety is of paramount importance for the Salomon Xtrail’s Race Committee, security measures and regulations will be imposed to ensure the safety of the runners before, during, and after the event. These include requiring a mandatory gear for the runners. For the 50k and 32k races, participants must have a fully-charged and operational mobile phone, water carrier with a volume of at least 1,500mL, reusable water cups, whistle, headlamp or flashlights with at least 8 hours of charge, a poncho or rain jacket, and P1,000 to cover the transportation expenses of the runner back to the finish line.
In the event of an emergency, Salomon teamed up with Team Rescue 8, a local first responder group which will be stationed at all aid stations as well as with the Landcruiser of the Philippines Off-road Club to ferry supplies, volunteers, crew, and runners who can no longer carry on with the race. During the race, numerous marshals will likewise be stationed along the course while each runner must be checked in and checked out of all the checkpoints. All cut-off times will also be strictly enforced while runners who return to the checkpoint after the cut-off-time will be pulled from the run.
The Salomon Xtrail Event also takes pride in being a green run. As such, disposable water cups will be prohibited during the race. Aid stations will not provide disposable water cups to protect the trail and the environment. The aid station crew will also be advised not to serve any drinks unless runners present reusable water bottles or containers.
Interested participants are invited to register until April 17, 2019 at www.salomonxtrailpilipinas.com.ph. All participating runners will receive a Salomon Technical Jersey, a Salomon Trucker Cap, as well as gift items from the event sponsors. Meanwhile, those who finish within the cut-off time will receive a Mountain Run Finishers medal as well as a finisher’s shirt for the Ultra 50 runners.
Gear Up for the Ultimate Trail Challenge with Salomon
In perfect timing for the upcoming Salomon Xtrail Luzon 2019, Salomon introduces its latest selection of core trail running collections which include new variations of the S/LAB, SENSE, and SPEEDCROSS footwear along with new range of innovative apparel, gear, and accessories – all of which are made to support runners as they endure the most arduous trails.
Developed with Francois D’haene, the S/LAB SENSE ULTRA 2 is an embodiment of the physical and mental preparation necessary for ultra-distance racing. With a pair that blends long-distance comfort, precise fit, and grip with a graphic treatment that expresses the different stages of an Ultra-run, runners can trust that the ULTRA2 will help lead them to their Ultra goals.
Three things are crucial for top endurance runners – lightweight, precision, and ground feel. Taking these into consideration, the S/LAB SENSE 7 SG ushers in a return to the approximately 200g benchmark but retains all the necessary ingredients to make it an athlete favorite. Maintaining its ground filter and precise foothold, the footwear features a reduced weight by optimizing the lugs, integrating the sockliner, and making the heel counter radically minimalist. Boasting of a fit that’s better than ever, the SG version pushes the boundaries further with larger sole lugs to allow for more spacing when traversing wet and soft surfaces.
One of the most common challenges of trail running is the unpredictability of the weather. The next best thing is to sport footwear that’s specially designed to hold out against the perils of muddy, wet, and slippery trails. With its reduced weight and updated tread design, the S/LAB SPEED 2 promises to provide trail runners with the necessary grip they need to stay on track. Equally dependable for soft trail conditions with its monster grip, lightweight, and highly-cushioned design is the iconic SPEEDCROSS 4.
For runners who are on the lookout for footwear that can live up to their endurance, the SENSE RIDE 2 with its notable cushioning, 8mm heel drop, and proven fit shall give runners the confidence and support to push the mileage and conquer the trails for hours on end.
Salomon’s newest offerings also include a variety of trail-ready apparel that bear the most cutting-edge technology in outdoor athletic wear. Constructed for maximum mobility, the AGILE 5” SHORT for men features an elastic draw cord for hassle-free adjustments while its centered and zippered back pocket provide easy access to essentials while keeping them secure. To help runners stay visible, the shorts also bear reflective details. On the other hand, equally light, breathable, and stretchable is the AGILE 2IN1 SHORT for women which promises supreme comfort on the trails. Part of the S/LAB modular system, worth checking out too is the superlight S/LAB SHORT 4” OUTER SHORT for men.
Also available in Salomon’s latest line of apparel is the S/LAB SENSE TEE for men, which keeps runners dry and fresh as they pierce through the tracks. There is also the AGILE SS TEE for men, a lightweight and technical shirt with breathable mesh gussets under the arms for maximum comfort. The AGILE SS TEE also bears 360° reflective details to enable runners to make the most out of the day. For the women, Salomon offers the XA TANK, a superlight, race-inspired tank that’s versatile enough for a variety of summer activities while the XA TEE is a high-performance running top that’s perfect for year-round activity.
To ensure that runners are fully-equipped from head to toe, Salomon renders the same amount of attention to its trail-running accessories. Minimalist in design, balanced, and super-efficient, the S/LAB SENSE ULTRA 5 SET and the S/LAB ULTRA 8 SET are the ultimate gear stowing solution that will convince runners to ditch the idea of a bag. Designed for performance with input from top athletes, both gear stowing solutions will keep one’s essentials tight and close. The S/LAB ULTRA 8 SET is meant to be used for long distances with tougher conditions.
Other equally reliable gear stowing gears are the AGILE 500 BELT SET, which is ideal for long trail runs where agility is vital; the AGILE 2 SET, a minimalist pack for easy hydration on shorter runs; and the ADV SKIN 12 SET, a precise fitting carrying system for the most demanding endurance runs.
A pioneering mountain sports brand, Salomon is driven by its decades-long legacy of creating the next generation of gears and experiences that will inspire people to live a life of passion and adventure. Today, as Salomon leads at the forefront of trail-running innovation, it remains committed in empowering individuals to pursue athletic excellence through its cutting-edge products and groundbreaking trail running events as embodied by the upcoming Salomon Xtrail Luzon 2019.
For more information about the event, visit www.salomonxtrailpilipinas.com.ph or e-mail ask.xtrail@gmail.com. Also, follow Salomon on Facebook: @salomonphilippines and on Instagram: @SalomonPH.
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